A study involving 2,000 of adults who partake in Christmas celebrations revealed that many have received financial help and donations in the past. A quarter have received financial assistance with presents, nearly a fifth have accepted old toys and 36 per cent have been given a helping hand with the food.
The survey indicates that 39 per cent of Brits are anxious about the cost of Christmas this year, with the leading concern being finding money for food and drink. However, others are also apprehensive about heating bills and the cost of presents.
On average, respondents believe it will cost £700 to cover Christmas for their family this year. Yet, some Brits estimate they will fall short by £150 to cover all the costs this month.
To manage the festive period, 27 per cent cut back on savings contributions, while 19% reduced the number of everyday groceries they were buying. Some 20 per cent have even contemplated selling personal belongings to help afford to pay for items over the festive period.
The research was commissioned by Skipton Building Society to kick off its Christmas toy donations collection for various charities, including Cash for Kids Mission Christmas, with its branches nationwide accepting contributions.
Sarah Reid, 44, from Bristol, is one of many who is reliant on others to help with Christmas expenses. Sarah who has epilepsy, has been unable to work since 2021 and although she receives £1,500 each month in grants, with a monthly rent and bills amounting to £1,800, she and her husband, Mark, find themselves £3,600 in debt annually.
For Christmas she has a budget of £100 to pay for gifts and foods for her family of four and she confessed that without the goodwill of charities and relatives Christmas would be impossible. She described it as “heart-breaking” to watch her youngest child compile a Christmas list, knowing they can’t afford anything on it.
Sarah said: “It’s nice to be able to give the kids something for Christmas – we’ve previously got ourselves into debt, trying to buy them things brand new. We’ve used buy-now-pay-later and credit cards on our children’s gifts before.”
The Skipton Building Society is donating £50,000 to Cash for Kids to assist up to 1,000 children living in poverty this Christmas. Kenny Stewart, director of branches and money direct, stated: “Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for families already struggling to make ends meet.”
“The colder months bring rising costs for essentials like heating and food, and the pressure to create a special day can push many to their limits. For some, the only way to cope is by seeking help from their loved ones and charities to ensure their children don’t miss out,” Kenny adds.
“We want to give back to the communities in which we operate and hope the toy collections taking place across our branch network and the Christmas charity donation we’ve made supports the families who need it most helping to ease the financial burden and bring a little joy during what can be a challenging time of year.”
Nine out of ten Brits are constantly on the lookout for the best deals to save on Christmas expenses, however, 57 per cent feel under pressure to spend more than they can afford at this festive season.
A spokesperson for Cash for Kids stated: “Once again as cost-of-living pressures continue to hit families across the UK, we are anticipating a huge level of demand for support. Every contribution plays a part in ensuring struggling families can still create special moments, no matter their circumstances.”